Prominent Leaders Launch Initiative To Unite Canada’s Indigenous And Other Peoples In A New Partnership

NEWS RELEASEPROMINENT LEADERS LAUNCH INITIATIVE TO UNITE CANADA’S INDIGENOUS ANDOTHER PEOPLES IN A NEW PARTNERSHIPOttawa. Thursday September 4, 2014: Well-known figures from a cross section of political, cultural and economic backgrounds have joined forces in a common cause to strengthen Canada through the creation of a new partnership between the Indigenous Peoples and all Canadians.

Canadians for a New Partnership (CFNP) was formally launched today at a Declaration-signing ceremony, news conference and luncheon, attended by two former Prime Ministers, indigenous leaders, a former Supreme Court Justice and former Auditor General, among others. It is built on the principle that Indigenous and other Canadians can together build a strong economy and values-based society that will benefit present and future generations.

“CFNP’s overriding mission is to encourage public and political goodwill, energy and commitment to achieving this goal,” said CEO, former NWT premier Stephen Kakfwi. “I know all of us are excited and determined to make a renewed and positive contribution to Aboriginal Peoples and Canada.”

Two former prime ministers – the Right Hon. Joe Clark and the Right. Hon. Paul Martin – are among those volunteering their time and experience to the cause and a shared belief that a new partnership is possible.

“The unity of purpose among our members and growing numbers of Canadians from all walks of life, including churches, businesses, academia and the public service, tells me we can succeed, if we base our approach on mutual respect and responsibility, mutual recognition of our shared history and a genuine commitment to cooperation,” said Mr. Clark.

Mr. Martin said: “Too often we have made the wrong choices or failed to deliver on the right ones. But we also know that – notwithstanding this – there is common ground between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. We hold the same hopes and dreams for our children and grandchildren. I know because I see it every day in the classroom. If the seeds of agreement in this common ground are ever going to take root and grow, we will have to restore trust and build a foundation of goodwill between all Indigenous people and Canadians.”

Inuit leader Mary Simon, past president of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, said: “When the first settlers came to our land, we welcomed them. Indigenous people shared with newcomers to help them survive. Trade relationships and alliances of friendship and peace flourished and solemn treaties were signed. These are the values – and the partnership – that we are trying to restore starting today. A partnership of equals, pledged to reconcile historic wrongs, committed to mutual respect and dedicated to the eradication of inequities.”

Former AFN National Chief Ovide Mercredi said: “There is much to be gained by repairing relations between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people – and much to be lost if we fail to reconcile our differences. The Constitution enshrines our rights and the courts have consistently upheld them. We are not going to go away and we are not going to fade into the fabric of non-Aboriginal society. We can either develop the vast potential of Canada together or we can continue the paralysis that flows from misunderstanding, betrayal and neglect. There is no question which path this Partnership chooses to travel. Our challenge to the rest of Canadians now is ‘come with us.’”

CFNP member Chelsea Vowel, a young Métis writer and teacher, said the group’s focus on youth and emerging leaders is one of its major strengths. “Creating a better future is not just about convincing the existing powers and voters to change; it is also about listening to those whose future you are discussing and ensuring they are involved in every facet of what is being done.”

CFNP is committed to helping to generate the conditions for change by: raising the profile of this critical issue through multiple media formats; offering Canadians a compelling rationale and opportunities for action that will ignite and sustain momentum towards reconciliation and partnership; and demonstrating to governments and industry the growing broad-based desire for such change.

Its members, who are all volunteers, will seek out others to add their signatures to theirs on a Declaration and attend speaking events, conferences and lecture series across Canada to promote our vision.

While it has largely been dependent on volunteer work, CFNP, a registered non-profit organization, will be seeking sponsors as it expands. It wishes to acknowledge the early and generous financial and in–kind contributions of The J.W. McConnell Family Foundation, Government of the Northwest Territories, The Aboriginal Liaison Initiative of the International Boreal Conservation Campaign, NationTalk, The Walter and Duncan Gordon Foundation, First Peoples Group, McGill University and T.E. Wealth. Without their help the success of this initiative to date would not have been possible.

For more information on CFNP, including a complete list of its board members and their bios, please visit our website at: http://www.cfnp.ca

CFNP’s Vision and Mission

Vision:Towards a better, stronger Canada: building a new partnership between First Peoples and all Canadians so that together we can build the strong economy and values-based society that will benefit this and future generations.

Mission:We will establish and support a broad-based, inclusive, leadership initiative to engage Canadians in dialogue and relationship building aimed at building a new partnership between First Peoples and other Canadians. This initiative holds the promise of better living conditions, education, and economic opportunities for First Peoples, which must be the tangible results of that new partnership.

THE STORY OF THE CANADIANS FOR A NEW PARTNERSHIP (backgrounder)

Introduction: Rarely in Canada have so many distinguished Canadians with such diverse political, cultural or economic backgrounds joined in a common cause to strengthen Canada through the creation of a new Partnership between the Indigenous Peoples of Canada and all Canadians. Former prime ministers, and national Indigenous leaders, former provincial premiers, a former Justice from the Supreme Court of Canada, as well as one of Canada’s most respected Auditor Generals are committed and united in building a better and stronger Canada. Canadians for a New Partnership is built on the principle that Indigenous and other Canadians can together build a strong economy and values-based society that will benefit present and future generations. It is a principle shared by a growing number of other Canadians from all walks of life, including churches, businesses, academia and the public service. The overriding mission is to build a better and stronger Canada, and many are signing their name to a declaration, pledging to do so.

How CFNP Came About: The concept for Canadians for a New Partnership was first advanced by Stephen Kakfwi, a former premier of the Northwest Territories, and President of the NWT Dene Nation, who was inspired by a challenge from his young, adult children. “Following the Idle No More movement I expressed to my adult children the urgent need for a renewed Nation-to-Nation relationship, built upon mutual respect and understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous governments and people across Canada. Without any hesitation, they challenged me to take the initiative and I began making calls to former leaders of all political stripes and backgrounds and was surprised and gratified by the very immediate and positive responses”. In the following months an impressive number of prominent Canadians, agreed to join in this national initiative. “I know all of us, are excited and determined to make a renewed and positive contribution to Indigenous Peoples and Canada.”

Why We Are Here: It is surely safe to say the relationship between Indigenous Peoples and mainstream Canada has reached a critical turning point. Our Nation is confronting and recognizing the cruel history of assimilation policies while at the same time we can see enormous opportunities for all Indigenous people into the future. Through the work of the Indian Residential Schools Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Canadians can grasp and acknowledge one of the darkest chapters in our history and endorse the formal apology delivered by the Prime Minister on June 11, 2008 “Today, we recognize that this policy of assimilation was wrong, has caused great harm, and has no place in our country.” But there is however, “a place in our Country” for reconciliation and Canadians For a New Partnership believes this is the time to recognize and support unprecedented opportunities for the Indigenous Peoples of Canada, and their efforts and determination to move forward. Presently, from the tiniest Arctic Settlement through most of the First Nation Reserves, in Métis Communities and right into the centres of our big cities and growing suburbs there are tens of thousands indigenous people thriving, creating new businesses and giving hope that a better future is possible.

Achievements and opportunities in our education system have never been stronger. From high schools through colleges and universities, an increasing number of Indigenous students are graduating. Make no mistake, their numbers remain far below the national average, but by working together in a new partnership we can accelerate those numbers. In the trades and service sectors Canadian business and labour organizations have stated there are tens of thousands of potential well paying jobs for a skilled and trained indigenous workforce. Canadians for a New Partnership is not here to bury the past, no matter how harmful it was, but to use it as the foundation upon which the new partnership is built.

Who Are We: We have in our membership many of Canada’s exceptional leaders, both established and emerging, and we will use the collective wisdom, experience, talent and generosity of many others from all walks of life in building a new partnership between Indigenous Peoples and all Canadians. We share a fundamental belief in fairness. We may be First Peoples, or the descendants of First Settlers, to present day arrivals. Our Declaration states, “We must embrace the notion of partnership fully and place it at the very heart of our endeavours. Then, and only then, will we enjoy a foundation of trust sturdy enough to overcome the shame of historic harm and contemporary injustices and realize future possibility. The New Partnership is neither deluded about past challenges nor deflated about present circumstances. We believe that hope must be created with the establishment of new trust and enthusiasm.”

What We Want to Accomplish: We believe that efforts – no matter how well intentioned – to improve the health, education and welfare of indigenous people are destined to the same failures of the past unless we build this new partnership and restore the trust that has been eroded by a litany of historic wrongs. Put simply, Canadians for a New Partnership wants to begin a new dialogue among Canadians about our relationship with Aboriginal Peoples. When terms like the “National Interest” and “Equity” are used by Governments or Corporations, we want them to ask themselves if their actions are in the interests of the marginalized as well as the mainstream and does “equity” apply to those at the bottom as well as those at the top.

Our Approach: Canadians for a New Partnership endorses and commits to basing its work on the nation building principles recommended by the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, “mutual recognition, mutual respect, mutual responsibility, and cooperation and sharing”. Our members – all volunteers – will attend speaking events, conferences and lecture series across the country to support these goals. We will launch a website that provides factual information, and opportunities to collaborate and dialogue with other Canadians about reconciliation and practical ways to build trust between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. We will actively demonstrate to governments and industry the growing broad-based desire for Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians to work together for the sake of building a stronger values based economy. We have each signed a Declaration that sets out our commitment to a new partnership and will actively seek out others, including legislators, corporate leaders, labour and all civil society organizations to add their signatures to ours and to start down a path that will rebuild trust, remedy a broken relationship and a lead to a new partnership.

Our Funding: Canadians for a New Partnership is a registered non-profit organization and its members are all volunteers, as are most of the people who have helped develop the materials and logistics needed to transform an idea into a reality. That said, funding has been needed to bring this to fruition and CFNP’s deepest gratitude goes to The J.W. McConnell Family Foundation, Government of the Northwest Territories, the Aboriginal Liaison Initiative (ALI) of the International Boreal Conservation Campaign, NationTalk, The Walter and Duncan Gordon Foundation, First Peoples Group, McGill University and T.E. Wealth, without whose generous initial, and for many, ongoing support, the success of this initiative to date would not have been possible. We will continue to seek sponsors to allow our work to move ahead and grow.

What will CFNP do?: Canadians for a New Partnership will engage in an energetic education campaign across Canada with multiple facets, including an active website and social media initiatives, a national speaker’s bureau and media availability. We will expand our network of individuals and organizations committed to building a genuine new partnership with Indigenous Canadians and a better and stronger Canada. Our members, all volunteers, will attend speaking events, conferences and lecture series across the country to promote our vision and to help offer Canadians a new narrative, a compelling rationale, and opportunities for action with the goal of igniting and sustaining momentum towards reconciliation and partnership; In doing so we will strive to actively demonstrate to governments and industry the growing broad-based desire for Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians to work together to build a stronger economy and values-based society.

CANADIANS FOR A NEW PARTNERSHIP – FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT IS CFNP?

Canadians for a New Partnership is a unique organization created by what might be an unprecedented coalition of distinguished Canadians with diverse political, cultural or economic backgrounds who are committed to strengthening Canada through the creation of a New Partnership between the First Peoples of Canada and all Canadians.

Its initial members include former prime ministers, former national indigenous leaders, former provincial premiers, a former Justice from the Supreme Court of Canada, and one of Canada’s most respected Auditor Generals, and their vision is being shared by a growing number of Canadians from all walks of life, including churches, businesses, academia and the public service.

We share an unshakeable belief that Indigenous and other Canadians can together build a strong economy and values-based society that will benefit present and future generations.

WHAT IS THE DECLARATION?

CFNP members are joining together to declare a commitment to a New Partnership for our two peoples and for future generations. That is why we have made a Declaration to start anew and to invite all other Canadians to join us in that pledge.

WHAT IS ITS ORIGIN?

The concept was first advanced by Stephen Kakfwi, a former premier of the Northwest Territories, and President of the NWT Dene Nation, who watched the development of the Idle No More movement and saw an urgent need for a renewed Nation-to-Nation relationship, built upon mutual respect and understanding.

Challenged by his young adult children to take the initiative and try to do something about it, Mr. Kakfwi began making calls to former leaders of all political stripes and backgrounds and was surprised by the immediate and positive responses he received. Soon an impressive succession of prominent Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal leaders agreed to join in this national initiative, and the work of building it began.

SO THIS A RESPONSE TO IDLE NO MORE?

In part, but much of the inspiration has been drawn from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). Our members believe that in its essence, ‘reconciliation’ is about a new partnership between Indigenous people and the rest of Canadian society.

In his apology to residential school survivors, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission: “It will be a positive step in forging a new relationship between aboriginal peoples and other Canadians, a relationship based on the knowledge of our shared history, a respect for each other and a desire to move forward together with a renewed understanding that strong families, strong communities and vibrant cultures and traditions will contribute to a stronger Canada for all of us.”

Canadians for a New Partnership seeks to build on these words and turn them into actions.

IN THE WAKE OF THE SUPREME COURT OF CANADA’S TSILHQOT’IN RULING, WHERE DOES CFNP STAND ON TITLE AND RIGHTS, AND ON RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT?

The June 2014 SCC decision came nearly two years after the seeds were planted for CFNP. It is not the driving force behind the launch of our organization, but it does reaffirm the need for a new partnership and lays down some clear realities that cannot be ignored.

CFNP is non-partisan and will not be in the business of campaigning for or against specific projects. However it is committed to promoting the principles upon which we can build trust and move forward.

HOW IS CFNP FUNDED?

Canadians for a New Partnership is a registered non-profit organization and its members are all volunteers, as are most of the people who have helped develop the materials and logistics needed to transform an idea into a reality. That said, funding has been needed to bring this to fruition and CFNP’s deepest gratitude goes to The J.W. McConnell Family Foundation, Government of the Northwest Territories, the Aboriginal Liaison Initiative (ALI) of the International Boreal Conservation Campaign, NationTalk, The Walter and Duncan Gordon Foundation, First Peoples Group, McGill University and T.E. Wealth, without whose generous initial, and for many, ongoing support, the success of this initiative to date would not have been possible.

We will continue to seek sponsors to allow our work to move ahead and grow.

HOW DID CFNP GET ORGANIZED?

Well-attended formation and organizational meetings were held in April, June, October and November of 2013 and in April 2014. Every member in his or her own way, set aside personal, political, or economic agendas, and focused on a shared and profound commitment to assist in bringing about a truly renewed relationship with the Aboriginal Peoples of Canada.

It was unanimously agreed that a new partnership must respect our shared history and the memories of the early days of our relationship when the First Peoples shared with the newcomers to help them survive, and when trade relationships and alliances of peace and friendship flourished and solemn treaties were signed.

All were agreed that generating better living conditions, education, and economic opportunities must be tangible results of this shared and renewed relationship, and that emerging Indigenous leaders be involved from the outset.

These initial meetings led to the establishment of a Canadians for a New Partnership board and the development of a formal vision and mission statement, principles, objectives etc.

WHAT IS CFNP’S VISION?

Towards a better, stronger Canada: building a new partnership between First Peoples and all Canadians so that together we can build the strong economy and values-based society that will benefit this and future generations.

WHAT IS CFNP’S MISSION STATEMENT?

We will establish and support a broad-based, inclusive, leadership initiative to engage Canadians in dialogue and relationship building aimed at building a new partnership between First Peoples and other Canadians. This initiative holds the promise of better living conditions, education, and economic opportunities for First Peoples, which must be the tangible results of that new partnership.

WHAT ARE CFNP’S OBJECTIVES?

To educate the public about the history of First Peoples, their contribution to Canada and the current issues affecting their relationship with the rest of Canada;To benefit from the collective wisdom, experience, talent and generosity of many of Canada’s exceptional leaders in building a new partnership between First Peoples and all Canadians;To increase public awareness of the issues that are presently creating tensions in the relationship between First Peoples and the rest of Canada and to engage Canadians in dialogue about possible solutions;To support the many groups/individuals who are working to contribute to raising awareness of the issues confronting First Peoples by forming a network that would share wise practices, agree on common themes and plan joint events in order to maximize the impact of their initiatives and celebrate successes;To ensure that reconciliation efforts reach into the future and have long-term impact by, in particular, supporting emerging Indigenous and non-Indigenous leaders in their efforts to dialogue and find new ways of building positive relationships.

WHAT ARE CFNP’S PRINCIPLES?

Canadians for a New Partnership endorses and commits to basing its work on the four principles recommended by the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples.

The first is the principle of Mutual Recognition – that descendants, both of the original inhabitants and the newcomers (past and present), love this land; and that Indigenous and non-Indigenous people must relate to one another as equals, governing themselves together and according to their own laws and institutions.

This naturally leads to the principles of Mutual Respect and of Mutual Responsibility.

And all three culminate in the principle of Sharing and Cooperation, which is central to Aboriginal cultures, and also lies at the heart of the Canadian federation.

WHAT WILL CFNP DO?

Canadians for a New Partnership will engage in an energetic education campaign across Canada with multiple facets, including an active website and social media initiatives, a national speaker’s bureau and media availability.

We will expand our network of individuals and organizations committed to building a genuine new partnership with Indigenous Canadians and a better and stronger Canada.

Our members, all volunteers, will attend speaking events, conferences and lecture series across the country to promote our vision and to help offer Canadians a new narrative, a compelling rationale, and opportunities for action with the goal of igniting and sustaining momentum towards reconciliation and partnership.

In doing so we will strive to actively demonstrate to governments and industry the growing broad-based desire for Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians to work together to build a stronger economy and values-based society.